BC-UT–Utah News Coverage Advisory, UT

Good afternoon! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today in Utah. Questions about today’s coverage plans are welcome, and should be directed to supervisor Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City at 801-322-3405.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories, digests and digest advisories will keep you up to date.

Some TV and radio stations will receive shorter APNewsNow versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

GAY MARRIAGE-UTAH

SALT LAKE CITY — The American Civil Liberties Union is challenging the state of Utah on behalf of four newly-married same-sex couples, charging that state officials should be recognizing the marriages performed prior to the U.S. Supreme Court putting a halt to the weddings. The organization plans to file the lawsuit Tuesday in state court. Days after the high court granted the state an emergency stay pending a decision by a federal appeals court, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert told state agencies to put a freeze on proceeding with any new benefits for the newly married gay and lesbian couples until the courts resolve the issue. That means gay and lesbian couples trying to make their partners legal guardians of children or add their spouses to their health insurance cannot move forward. By Brady McCombs. SENT: 550 words.

AIR QUALITY-UTAH

SALT LAKE CITY — An icy fog trapping pollutants in the Salt Lake region was bad enough Tuesday to slow airport traffic to a crawl by cutting visibility. Northern Utah marked its 23rd winter day of health alerts for toxic air, surpassing a number for last winter that was the worst in a decade, said the state’s air-quality monitor. By Paul Foy, photos. SENT: 350 words.

OFFICER-FAMILY KILLED

SPANISH FORK, Utah — A relative of the five people dead in a Spanish Fork murder-suicide called the killings “unimaginable” and says he’s angry “like you wouldn’t believe” at his son-in-law for the act. Jeff King tells KSL he’s been passing sleepless nights by planning a funeral for his 32-year-old daughter, Kelly Boren, his 7-year-old grandson, Jaden, his 5-year-old granddaughter, Haley, and his 55-year-old ex-wife, Marie King. SENT: 300 words.

LEGISLATURE RETURNS-DEMOCRATS

Utah Democrats say they will focus on education, health care and air quality during the upcoming legislative session, among other topics. More than a dozen Democratic members of the Utah House and Senate broadly outlined their priorities at a Tuesday morning news conference at the state Capitol. Democrats say issues such as air quality and health care are the most important for Utah families and vulnerable populations such as senior citizens. By Michelle L. Price. SENT: 300 words.

MILITARY MOVING LAWSUIT

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A company that handles moves for some military members in South Carolina and Georgia is being accused of inflating costs and overbilling the federal government, allegations that could potentially result in millions of dollars in penalties and fines. Covan World-Wide Moving Inc., and an affiliate, Coleman American Moving Services, Inc., move soldiers to and from South Carolina’s Fort Jackson and Georgia’s Fort Gordon, according to the lawsuit. By Meg Kinnard. SENT: 425 words.

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

SUNDANCE-JAMAICAN BOBSLEDDERS

PARK CITY, Utah — This year’s Sundance Film Festival has featured two former presidential candidates, rap stars, male strippers and rescue dogs. So why not the Jamaican Olympic bobsled team? The group appeared at the festival on Monday to promote their trip to Sochi for the Olympic Winter Games and seek some much-needed cash. When the team was approved entry this month, Jamaican officials said they didn’t have the money to travel to Russia to compete. Coach Wayne Thomas said some funding has flowed in, but the team is still in need. By Entertainment Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody. SENT: 550 words, AP Photos UTNM101, UTNM102.

SUNDANCE-KURT RUSSELL

PARK CITY, Utah — Calling his late castmate Paul Walker “a terrific guy,” Kurt Russell says he’s not sure what will happen with his role in the latest “Fast & Furious” movie. Russell joined the seventh film in the franchise and plays a father figure to Vin Diesel’s character Dominic Toretto. The 62-year-old actor said he had one day left of filming when Walker died in a car crash outside Los Angeles last November. By Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson. SENT: 225 words, AP Photos UTNM101, UTNM102.NY111.

SUNDANCE-SELENA GOMEZ

PARK CITY, Utah — Selena Gomez says working on her film “Rudderless” that’s debuting at Sundance — and even dodging paparazzi at the indie film festival — has been an escape from “the everyday madness that I’ve got to go through.” ”I could just wear my own clothes and not have to worry about anything and just be with these cool people,” Gomez said in an interview Monday alongside actor-turned-director William H. Macy and the film’s star, Billy Crudup. By Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson. SENT: 350 words.

— SUNDANCE-GLENN CLOSE — Glenn Close is returning to theater after more than 15 years — and it won’t be in a musical. By Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson. AP Photo UTDM309.

SPORTS:

FRE-US OLYMPIC TEAM

PARK CITY, Utah — Five weeks after breaking his ribs during training for an Olympic qualifier, halfpipe skier Torin Yater-Wallace got a spot on the U.S. team. Yater-Wallace was given one of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s discretionary picks Tuesday despite not competing in any of the qualifying contests.

BKN–TIMBERWOLVES-JAZZ 1/21/2014

SALT LAKE CITY — The Timberwolves can win consecutive games for the first time in more than three weeks on Tuesday night when they face the Jazz, who may have Gordon Hayward back. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Game starts at 7 p.m. MST. Stringer Matthew Coles.

IN BRIEF:

— UTAH TRAFFIC FATALITIES — Utah transportation officials say they counted 219 traffic deaths in Utah in 2013, and almost half of the car crash victims who died hadn’t been wearing seatbelts.

— PEDESTRIAN KILLED-INTERSTATE 15 — A 19-year-old man is dead after walking into traffic on Interstate 15 in Draper.

— OTTOBOCK-TAX INCENTIVE — Utah has granted one of the leading makers of prosthetic devices a tax incentive to expand operations in Salt Lake City.

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